Untold

A little bit of everything, from across the Archives. People, products, places, and the moments in between that make 150 years of Kohler history worth exploring. Hover over each card to discover the story inside. Explore the cards and see what catches your eye.

Alterna faucet fittings launched in 1970 were decorative inserts that achieved intriguing variety, with optional finishes that could be changed based on ones whims and moods.

Be open to detours and side roads—often they lead to the richest experiences.

Ruth De Young Kohler II
In May of 1933, plans were underway for the Kohler Co. exhibit at the Chicago World’s Fair, named “A Century of Progress”. The Kohler of Kohler building, designed by Architect Ely Jacques Kahn, extended 132 feet in length, showcasing sixty years of progress in sanitation.

“Recreation is one of the necessary things in modern life.” In 1917, Kohler Company formed the Kohler Recreation Club to help promote and harmonize all kinds of sports and pastimes.
Kohler began producing drinking fountains in the late 19th century. The fixtures were fitted with brass valves described as ‘continuous flow bubblers’ or bubbling valves’,  allowing water to bubble out.

The Archives

Using our history to authenticate and drive our bold ambition for the future, we collect, organize, preserve, and make accessible any record, physical or born-digital artifact of significant value to Kohler Co., to provide our businesses with authentic proof points and inspiration.

— Learn More —
Kohler’s Raindrop Personal Shower which launched in 1972 was “an idea born in the luxurious resorts of Europe” marketed as “one of the most versatile bathing accessories ever developed.”
Introduced in 1955, the Hygia woman’s urinal was marketed for use in department stores, factories, hospitals, restaurants, schools, service stations, theatres and public buildings. Designed for cleanliness and convenience, it was discontinued in 1973.

Home For The 80s

Kohler Company’s 1982 Demonstration Home was 4,370 square feet of leisurely living with the latest in energy conservation in mind.

— Discover —
Kohler of Kohler News was published monthly, by and for the Kohler Co. organization between 1916-1963. This is the first cover featuring an illustration of the main gate.
In 1919, John Philip Sousa (Musician) was the first visiting artist to sign The American Club guest book in 1919, followed by Mary Baker, (Singer, Brooklyn, NY) Florence Hardeman (Violinist, Covington, KY), and Sousa’s Manager, Harry Askin, New York City.
In 1929, Engraved Metal Shower Plates were available in three standard designs. Or could be customized with special designs, as shown below.
Artist Charlotte Kohler studied at the Milwaukee Art Institute and Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, developing her bent and aptitude for art. She became art supervisor in the Sheboygan public schools in 1897, where she inaugurated the use of color, the drawing previously having been confined to black and white.

This company has always been content to be judged by the character of its people.

Herbert Vollrath Kohler, Sr.
“Color renews interest in the appearance of home laundries”, this may feel like stating the obvious in 2025, but in 1928 when Kohler introduced the Kohler Electric Clotheswasher in 6 colors Lavender, Spring Green, Old Ivory, Horizon Blue, West Point Grey and Autumn Brown, the laundry room started to feel a little less drab.
Alterna faucet fittings launched in 1970 were decorative inserts that achieved intriguing variety, with optional finishes that could be changed based on ones whims and moods.

Be open to detours and side roads—often they lead to the richest experiences.

Ruth De Young Kohler Jr.
In May of 1933, plans were underway for the Kohler Co. exhibit at the Chicago World’s Fair, named “A Century of Progress”. The Kohler of Kohler building, designed by Architect Ely Jacques Kahn, extended 132 feet in length, showcasing sixty years of progress in sanitation.

“Recreation is one of the necessary things in modern life.” In 1917, Kohler Company formed the Kohler Recreation Club to help promote and harmonize all kinds of sports and pastimes.
Kohler began producing drinking fountains in the late 19th century. The fixtures were fitted with brass valves described as ‘continuous flow bubblers’ or bubbling valves’,  allowing water to bubble out.

The Archives

Using our history to authenticate and drive our bold ambition for the future, we collect, organize, preserve, and make accessible any record, physical or born-digital artifact of significant value to Kohler Co., to provide our businesses with authentic proof points and inspiration.

— Learn More —
Kohler’s Raindrop Personal Shower which launched in 1972 was “an idea born in the luxurious resorts of Europe” marketed as “one of the most versatile bathing accessories ever developed.”
Kohler of Kohler News was published monthly, by and for the Kohler Co. organization between 1916-1963. This is the first cover featuring an illustration of the main gate.
Introduced in 1955, the Hygia woman’s urinal was marketed for use in department stores, factories, hospitals, restaurants, schools, service stations, theatres and public buildings. Designed for cleanliness and convenience, it was discontinued in 1973.

Home For The 80s

Kohler Company’s 1982 Demonstration Home was 4,370 square feet of leisurely living with the latest in energy conservation in mind.

— Discover —
Artist Charlotte Kohler studied at the Milwaukee Art Institute and Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, developing her bent and aptitude for art. She became art supervisor in the Sheboygan public schools in 1897, where she inaugurated the use of color, the drawing previously having been confined to black and white.

This company has always been content to be judged by the character of its people.

Herbert Vollrath Kohler, Sr.
“Color renews interest in the appearance of home laundries”, this may feel like stating the obvious in 2025, but in 1928 when Kohler introduced the Kohler Electric Clotheswasher in 6 colors Lavender, Spring Green, Old Ivory, Horizon Blue, West Point Grey and Autumn Brown, the laundry room started to feel a little less drab.
In 1919, John Philip Sousa (Musician) was the first visiting artist to sign The American Club guest book in 1919, followed by Mary Baker, (Singer, Brooklyn, NY) Florence Hardeman (Violinist, Covington, KY), and Sousa’s Manager, Harry Askin, New York City.
In 1929, Engraved Metal Shower Plates were available in three standard designs. Or could be customized with special designs, as shown below.
Alterna faucet fittings launched in 1970 were decorative inserts that achieved intriguing variety, with optional finishes that could be changed based on ones whims and moods.

Be open to detours and side roads—often they lead to the richest experiences.

Ruth De Young Kohler Jr.
In May of 1933, plans were underway for the Kohler Co. exhibit at the Chicago World’s Fair, named “A Century of Progress”. The Kohler of Kohler building, designed by Architect Ely Jacques Kahn, extended 132 feet in length, showcasing sixty years of progress in sanitation.

“Recreation is one of the necessary things in modern life.” In 1917, Kohler Company formed the Kohler Recreation Club to help promote and harmonize all kinds of sports and pastimes.
Kohler began producing drinking fountains in the late 19th century. The fixtures were fitted with brass valves described as ‘continuous flow bubblers’ or bubbling valves’,  allowing water to bubble out.

Kohler’s Raindrop Personal Shower which launched in 1972 was “an idea born in the luxurious resorts of Europe” marketed as “one of the most versatile bathing accessories ever developed.”

The Archives

Using our history to authenticate and drive our bold ambition for the future, we collect, organize, preserve, and make accessible any record, physical or born-digital artifact of significant value to Kohler Co., to provide our businesses with authentic proof points and inspiration.

— Learn More —
In 1919, John Philip Sousa (Musician) was the first visiting artist to sign The American Club guest book in 1919, followed by Mary Baker, (Singer, Brooklyn, NY) Florence Hardeman (Violinist, Covington, KY), and Sousa’s Manager, Harry Askin, New York City.
Introduced in 1955, the Hygia woman’s urinal was marketed for use in department stores, factories, hospitals, restaurants, schools, service stations, theatres and public buildings. Designed for cleanliness and convenience, it was discontinued in 1973.

Home For The 80s

Kohler Company’s 1982 Demonstration Home was 4,370 square feet of leisurely living with the latest in energy conservation in mind.

— Discover —
Artist Charlotte Kohler studied at the Milwaukee Art Institute and Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, developing her bent and aptitude for art. She became art supervisor in the Sheboygan public schools in 1897, where she inaugurated the use of color, the drawing previously having been confined to black and white.

This company has always been content to be judged by the character of its people.

Herbert Vollrath Kohler, Sr.
“Color renews interest in the appearance of home laundries”, this may feel like stating the obvious in 2025, but in 1928 when Kohler introduced the Kohler Electric Clotheswasher in 6 colors Lavender, Spring Green, Old Ivory, Horizon Blue, West Point Grey and Autumn Brown, the laundry room started to feel a little less drab.